The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA) released their annual statistics in March, revealing a record 158 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo moved through the port in 2024. Led by strong performances in the bulk, auto and container sectors, that volume represents a 5% increase from 2023.

To put that in perspective, almost as much cargo moved through the Port of Vancouver (POV) in 2024 as was handled by Canada’s next five largest ports combined. And significantly, about 80% of the international trade this represents was Canadian trade with countries other than the U.S. The Port of Vancouver handles a most diversified range of cargo, and in 2024 the nations that moved goods through the port were China (46 MMT), Japan (19 MMT) and South Korea (18 MMT). And trade to the U.S. through the port also increased to 7% of total cargo moved (10 MMT).

Leading the way was the bulk sector, with overall volumes increasing 8% to 117.9 MMT in 2024. Coal continues be largest export for bulk volume but it did see a slight dip of 2%, down to 42 MMT shipped. Fertilizers were also down 4% to 12 MMT but exports of both commodities were still considered strong.

Canadian grain shipments saw a modest increase of 1% up to 29 MMT in 2024 reaching near record volumes for grain, as agents, port operators and favourable weather conditions helped Canadian farmers service strong international demand for their crops. While the main grain commodity, wheat, saw a fairly significant drop of 10% in its export volume last year, big increases in both canola and animal feed helped push total grain exports just a little higher than 2023’s plumb year.

Liquid bulk exports saw a massive jump of 123% last year, up to 21.9 MMT. Fueled largely by the expanded Trans Mountain pipeline and Westridge Terminal, exports of petroleum products grew 153% to 19.3 MMT. Meanwhile canola oil exports were up 74% to 0.9 MMT.

A record of 468,759 vehicles were handled by our auto terminals in 2024, as imports through the port helped meet strong Canadian consumer demand for new vehicles. Nearly 100% of Canada’s Asian-manufactured vehicle imports arrive via the Port of Vancouver, with recent work to optimize the Annacis Auto Terminal increasing capacity by one-third.

Container volumes at the Port of Vancouver increased 11% to 3.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units, or TEU. Imports (laden inbound) increased 14% to 1.8 million TEU, while exports (laden outbound) increased 5% to 794,724 TEU. Empty containers increased 11% to 857,343 TEU.

For full list of all the statistics, please see here.